S3: Chief - 1st Peter 5:4

Scripture Read. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Thought Conveyed.  It's a message directed to the elders to explain they should be role-models to whom they shepherd.  It points towards Christ as the "Chief Shepherd."  It also explains that for their good work as elders, they will receive a "crown of glory" (non-physical, so what?) which will never fade.

Application Made.  Primarily that Christ is the Chief Shepherd, which means at some point in the future he will reward the elders for their job well done.  My feeling is that it is a non-physical adulation that means he will no forget their good works.

Response.  Lord, I am not an elder.  But I understand that those who are should be our shepherds.  I'm sorry, but elders continually disappoint me in their mediocrity and are a source of my deeper anger towards the failure of the church to be what you created it to be.  I feel all our efforts are self-hobbled by men who are like the fool who carries his donkey into town.

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